Labour inspections on hold during holiday season to curtail bribery

Philippines: Labour inspections of business are being halted during the Christmas season from 15 December to 15 January in an effort to prevent inspectors from being bribed during the holidays, the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment announced.

“It is our duty to ensure the continued effectiveness of DOLE’s enforcement of labour laws and standards and uphold the integrity of our labour inspection activities, specially this season with heightened chances of bribery and suspicions,” Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement.

Still, complaint inspections, technical safety inspections and occupational safety and health standards investigations are not covered by the suspension. Urgent inspections of establishments as directed by the labour secretary will also take place.

The department also noted its campaign against illegal forms of work contractualisation has resulted in 342,467 workers being regularised as of September.